A shorter queue.

A lowered risk of rear-end collisions.

Increased roadway efficiency.

Those are some of the benefits of using the zipper merge, according to ADOT State Traffic Safety Engineer Kerry Wilcoxon.

Maybe you’re not familiar with the zipper merge? No problem, there’s a GIF embedded in this post that illustrates it and we can explain it, too. Motorists stay in their respective lanes until the final merge point, which is efficient because it’s not leaving one lane empty and uses all available lane space.

At the merge point, vehicles take turns merging. The car in one lane merges, and then a car in the other lane merges, then the car in the first lane merges, and so on. Just like a zipper!

ADOT first encouraged use of the zipper merge in 2016 during construction on Interstate 10 of the Davidson Canyon bridge east of Tucson. Currently, the zipper merge is in effect on Interstate 15 when traffic is queued in work zones. It is also considered on a project-by-project basis and research is done to determine when and where it will be most appropriate.

So, when you see a zipper merge in place, it’s OK to follow the signage and continue driving toward the merge point. There’s no need to change lanes far in advance, which would leave empty space in one lane, increasing the traffic delays and work against the zipper merge.  

If you do move over and find yourself in a queue of traffic next to an otherwise open lane, remember to be careful if you decide to change lanes. The traffic in the open lane will be moving much faster than you think and it may be hard to see those vehicles before it’s too late.  Finally, if you choose to stay in the queue, be kind to the folks in the open lane and let them in when the time comes. They are helping everyone get through the area a little faster.

It seems obvious to most that securing our kids properly while they ride in vehicles is vital. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of two child passengers were killed in vehicle crashes every day in 2019. Sadley, 38% of those child passengers killed were unrestrained, which is up from 33% in 2018.

Child safety seats and seat belts not only save lives and increase safety for little ones, but child safety seats are required by Arizona law. Children younger than 8 years old and shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches, must be properly secured in a safety or booster seat.

Child Passenger Safety Week, which is recognized Sept. 18-24, brings awareness to this issue and highlights opportunities to have child seats checked and questions regarding them answered for parents and grandparents transporting their precious little ones.

Many children are in child safety seats, but may not be properly restrained. Fortunately, through its “Children Are Priceless Passengers” program, the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety coordinates child safety seat check events throughout the state all year long. Visit their website to find out when and where classes are being held.

You can also use this webpage to find the nearest child passenger safety technician no matter where you live in Arizona.

One of the best ways to ensure your child uses a seat belt is to lead by example. Make sure you are buckled up every time you get in your vehicle no matter how short the trip. 

Cheer on the Badgers, Wolves, Falcons, Jaguars, Prospectors, Rattlers or whatever mascot reps your favorite school. That’s right, school is back so cheer for your favorite team as part of the school spirit.

Get in the school spirit, and make sure to stop completely for school buses when the bus is stopped with its lights flashing and stop sign arm extended. 

It’s important to obey the stop sign in order to allow students getting on and off the bus a safe space to cross the street. About 13,000 motorists each year are reported by Arizona school bus drivers for not stopping as required.

In 2021, ADOT refined the process to make it easier for bus drivers to report drivers who run the stop sign. Using an online form, bus drivers can send a complaint of a stop sign violator directly to ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division. MVD then sends a notification letter, which is not a citation, to the vehicle owner as an effort to call attention to the seriousness of running the stop sign.

Previously, school bus drivers would fax forms to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which then emailed or faxed the reports to MVD. Those reports would often come in batches and be difficult to read. Using an online form removes a step from the process, making the submission electronic and faster.

Drivers, your homework is to review the penalties for passing a school bus when a stop sign arm is extended, which could be a civil penalty and possibly a suspended driver license – not to mention putting the safety of students at risk.

Be on the winning team, and make sure to not give the school bus driver a reason to report you by waiting until the stop sign arm is retracted.

School is back in session, and that means cheering for different mascots. What is the same for all of us, though, is to stop for school buses across Arizona’s roads picking up and dropping off future Antelopes, Lumberjacks, Sun Devils or Wildcats.